RADIATION USE EFFICIENCY AND ABOVE-GROUND BIOMASS PRODUCTION OF SELECTED FOREST TREE SPECIES

Authors

  • W.A.J.M. De Costa Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Pcradeniya
  • K.G.D. Jayaweera Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Pcradeniya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31357/fesympo.v0i0.1207

Abstract

Radiation use efficiency (RUE). defined as biomass produced per unit ofradiation intercepted. is considered a genotype-specific constant. Ifthe amountof radiation intercepted is known. RUE can be used to predict the potentialbiomass production o]'a given tree species. A comparative growth analysis wasdone on some selected species, with the objective of determining their lightinterception characteristics, biomass production, and RUE. Similar-agedseedlings of six forest tree species: Acacia mangium, Eucalyptus grandis,Leucaena leucoccphala, Swietenia macrophylla, Azadirachta indica, andTectono grandis, were planted at the university farm, Peradeniya, from July1995 to June 1996. Regular sampling was done to determine above-groundbiomass and leal area. Canopy radiation interception was estimated fromsimultaneous measurements of incident and transmitted radiation. by tubesolarimeters. In a/I six species, above-ground biomass production was found tvbe linearly related to cumulative intercepted radiation. The slopes of therelationships, which indicate R liE. showed significant inter-species variation.The greatest RUE was observed in E. gram/is (3.05 gA1fI) and the least inAzadarachta indica (0.296 gUfI). The differences in RUE were primarilyresponsible for the differences between species in above-ground biomassproduction. Radiation interception by the canopies ofthe different species wascharacterized by the light extinction coefficient, which showed significant interspeciesvariation. These parameters offer a promising approach Jill' modellingand prediction ofbiomass production by forest tree species.

Author Biographies

W.A.J.M. De Costa, Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Pcradeniya

Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Pcradeniya

K.G.D. Jayaweera, Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Pcradeniya

Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Pcradeniya

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Published

2013-06-19

Issue

Section

Forestry and Natural Resource Management